PCWA Addresses Private Pipelines Issue

Auburn, Calif.- Customers who are supplied through private pipelines and natural drainages may soon be receiving some additional support and assistance from the Placer County Water Agency.

The PCWA Board of Directors on Thursday (Sept. 20) authorized staff to develop new guidelines for helping water users who share private water delivery facilities and sometimes face neighborhood issues over maintenance and water flows.

PCWA Director of Customer Services Matt Young said that in many cases the water agency supplies water to a shared delivery point from which an individual or group of property owners takes responsibility. “We don’t have rights of access to these areas and we are not responsible for maintaining the private conveyance facilities,” Young said.  He noted that problems can occur when no one maintains the private line, when one participant uses more than his share, or when unauthorized users take water that they don’t pay for.

Under the PCWA staff proposal, the water agency will review the private conveyance issues on a case by case basis.  The agency will share parcel numbers and water purchase amounts with water users on private systems to assist the private owners in settling any local issues.  “It’s a good approach,” said PCWA legal adviser Janet Goldsmith.  “It will empower staff to help Agency customers and it will protect people’s privacy.”

Information on PCWA board meetings may be obtained through the Clerk to the Board at (530) 823-4850 or (800) 464-0030.